Nose
summer fruit basket loaded with freshly picked raspberries, strawberries and Bing cherries – red fruits galore! – accented by a lovely whiff of lavender and hints of watermelon and pink grapefruit.
Palate
Round and smooth on the palate, it thoroughly delivers on its aromatic promise with juicy, mouthwatering, red berry and Bing cherry flavors that culminate in a long, lip-smacking, mineral-tinged finish.
Growing Conditions
After several cool, rainy growing seasons, the 2012 vintage was picture-perfect, with consistently mild summer weather free of rain or significant heat waves. As a result, grape growers were able to harvest their fruit at precisely the right moment, capturing an optimal balance of ripe, concentrated fruit flavors and lively acidity. Given these ideal conditions, 2012 produced a cornucopia of outstanding wines, including our delicious Vin de Porche.
Winemaking
The grapes for Vin de Porche were night-harvested for freshness and fruit purity, then lightly pressed as whole clusters. Juice color was carefully monitored at the press, and several press ‘fractions’ (portions of the juice drained from the press at intervals based on color extraction) were drawn off to increase blending opportunities, with each ‘cut’ cold-settled for 36 hours before being transferred to a mix of stainless steel tanks (19%), stainless steels barrels (53%) and neutral French oak (28%) for a cold fermentation. In 2012, we used a special yeast strain to produce a slow, steady fermentation (two weeks at 52 degrees F.) that preserved Vin de Porche’s vividly fruity aromas and smooth mouthfeel. The wine aged three months in 50% neutral French oak and 50% stainless steel barrels before being bottled early for freshness in February, 2013.
Aging
3 months in 50% neutral oak barrels and 50% stainless steel barrels
Food Pairing
grilled salmon, chicken and sausage to pasta salads, country ham and spicy Southwestern, Latin and Asian dishes.
